>>58544267>>Needs to beat up trainers that use a specific typeWhat types do Zach, Yvon, Xavi, Rintaro and Vinnie exclusively specialize in?
Bear in mind, that's roughly half of the "Gym Leaders" you have to fight in the game.
>>They actually progress the storySo does the Bug Catcher from Viridian Forest with a Level 9 Weedle. If Red doesn't defeat him, he can't make it to Pewter City in order to battle Brock. There is NO way around this Bug Catcher, just like how there's no way around someone like Zach, who is also a generic NPC that is treated like a Gym Leader by your classifications.
>>When you beat them to rank higher the Pokemon's obedience level rises as wellIs that what we're basing it on now? That a trainer has to change your obedience cap flag in order to count as a Gym Leader? Damn, I can't believe Alola only has four Gym Leaders, why'd they waste their time on all those filler fights against the Totems that don't actually meaningfully progress the story or give me anything important?
>>58544291>What badge and TM does he give you at the end of the battle?What TM do Zach, Yvon, Xavi and Rintaro give you at the end of the battle?
